“I Am Not There Anymore” The Clientele
Indie pop band formed in London in 1991. The Clientele’s first album since 2017 sees the band going beyond its critically acclaimed jangle pop and ethereal psychedelic rock to embrace an array of musical elements including “post-bop jazz, contemporary classical and electronic music.” Creative and artistic. Draws inspiration from lead singer-songwriter Alasdair MacLean’s childhood and reflections on his mother’s death in 1997. RIYL: Belle and Sebastian, Beach House, Yo La Tengo, the Beatles, Moody Blues.
— Francis

Recommended: 9, 5, 6, 1, 11, 13, 15. No FCCs detected.

1. (8:30) Fables Of The Silverlink — Adventurous, epic chamber pop, featuring complex orchestration intermixed with off-kilter rhythms and haunting vocals that recall the Moody Blues from the 60s. ****
2. (0:57) Radial B — One of several instrumental breaks throughout. A gentle piano instrumental.
3. (4:29) Garden Eye Mantra — Slow-walking groove. Shimmering guitar. Subtle dub influences. Filtered vocals. Flowing strings. Repetitive at the end.
4. (0:28) Segue 4 (IV) — Various environmental samples and church music.
5. (3:17) Lady Grey — Simple pop folk. Swelling orchestra with violin, piano and jangly guitar overlaid with lush vocals. ****
6. (4:30) Dying In May — Polyrhythmic and experimental, employing a complex time signature and measured orchestration with reverbed vocals. Very prog-like psychedelic 60s sound. ****
7. (2:18) Conjuring Summer In — A longer interlude. Piano with soft snare drums, strings and a female voice reading down in the mix.
8. (1:33) Radial C (Nocturne For Three Trees) — Piano instrumental.
9. (3:17) Blue Over Blue — The lead single. Playful, swinging psych pop rock with multiple layers — from strings and horns to rich backing vocals. Loosely based on when MacLean got lost in the woods with his son. ****
10. (1:11) Radial E — Interlude with chime-y toy piano and regular piano.
11. (2:32) Claire’s Not Real — Flirts back and forth with a jazzy bossa nova vibe and 60s Brit pop with lovely strings. ***
12. (2:39) My Childhood — Experimental, with music that sounds like an orchestra warming up and another recitation by Jessica Griffin.
13. (4:41) Chalk Flowers — Hazy and wistful with soft, silky vocals, orchestra chords and light, plinky piano. Beautiful lyric imagery. ***
14. (1:07) Radial H — Another short piano interlude.
15. (4:13) Hey Siobhan — Lilting and light slow dance, with male and female vocals playing off one another over spare strings. ***
16. (4:08) Stems Of Anise — Up-tempo chamber pop. Like early Belle and Sebastian.
17. (4:02) Through The Roses — Dreamlike and sad. Throaty vocals that soar later in the round. Guitar, piano, clocklike drums and strings.
18. (4:51) I Dreamed Of You, Maria — Jangly guitar, horns and emotive vocals. Introspective lyrics about life and death.
19. (4:24) The Village Is Always On Fire — Swirling electronic soundscape with a march-like beat and cello added later. More reading woven in.